Automatic feed dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An elongated feed bin includes a base portion, having parallel bunkers or feed troughs on opposite sides, supporting a hopper portion which stores the feed and supports a dispenser assembly at the base of the hopper portion for dispensing feed into the bunkers. The dispenser assembly includes a reciprocable slide defining feed cups, with the slide movable between cover means and a support plate. The cover means has openings permitting the filling of the cups in one position of the slide, and the support plate has openings permitting the discharge of the cups in another position of the slide. The slide is reciprocated by a suitable motor; and a control means controls the number of cycles of the slide to determine the amount of feed dispensed. The feed bin also includes water dispensing means controlled by the control means for dispensing a measured amount of water into the feed bunkers along with the feed.

United States Patent [191 Stidham [451 Apr. 2, 1974 1 AUTOMATIC FEED DISPENSING APPARATUS [52] US. CI 119/56 R [51] Int. Cl A01k 5/00 [58] Field of Search 222/227, 230, 39, 70, 361,

Primary ExaminerStanley H. Tollberg Attorney, Agent, or FirmPcter J. Murphy; Cecil L. Wood [57] ABSTRACT An elongated feed bin includes a base portion, having parallel bunkers or feed troughs on opposite sides,

supporting a hopper portion which stores the feed and supports a dispenser assembly at the base of the hopper portion for dispensing feed into the bunkers. The dispenser assembly includes a reciprocable slide defining feed cups, with the slide movable between cover means and a support plate. The cover means has openings permitting the filling of the cups in one position of the slide, and the support plate has openings permitting the discharge of the cups in another .position of the slide. The slide is reciprocated by a suitable motor; and a control means controls the number of cycles of the slide to determine the amount of feed dispensed. The feed bin also includes water dispensing means controlled by the control means for dispensing a measured amount of water into the feed bunkers along with the feed. I

7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures AUTOMATIC FEED DISPENSING APPARATUS BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus for dispensing feed to livestock, and more particularly to such apparatus which is completely automatic in operation.

One of the problems in connection with the feeding of livestock is to prevent overfeeding which may cause the animals to founder or bloat. Another problem is to control the amount of certain feeds which are fed to the animals and to do so in a manner which minimizes costs, particularly labor costs. With certain types of feeds, it is desirable that the feed be mixed with water, with both the feed and water being measured amounts, to insure proper digestion of the feed by the animals.

An object of this invention is to provide apparatus for dispensing measured amounts of feed at preselected time intervals, which apparatus is entirely automatic in operation. I

Another object of this invention is to provide such apparatus for dispensing amounts of dry feed and measured amounts of water.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus which sounds a call signal to the livestock priorto dispensing feed into feed bunkers,-so that maximum freshness of the feed is maintained.

A further object of this invention is to provide such automatic apparatus which provides for variation in the preselected amounts of measured feed and water.

A still further object of this invention is to provide such automatic apparatus for the dispensing of feeds such as ground grain, pelletized feed, and cotton seed or soybean meal.

Still another object of this invention is to provide such apparatus which is relatively simple in construction and reliable in operation.

For accomplishing these objects, apparatus according to the invention includes an elongated bunker, an elongated feed hopper having a storage chamber disposed above the bunker, and a dispenser assembly in the base of the hopper for dispensing the feed from the hopper into the bunker; The dispenser assembly includes a reciprocable dispenser slide, a stationary slide plate supporting the dispenser slide, and stationary cover means separating the dispenser assembly from the hopper storage chamber. The dispenser slide has means defining longitudinally spaced chambers having open upper and lower faces. The slide plate has longitudinally spaced openings spaced to correspond with the spacing of the slide chambers; and the slide chambers and slide plate define feed cups for receiving feed from the hopper. The dispenser slide cover means defines longitudinally spaced openings spaced to correspond with the dispenser slide chambers, with these cover openings being offset relative to the slide plate openings. Power means reciprocates the dispenser slide between a first position, wherein the slide chambers are communicated with the slide plate openings, and a second position wherein the slide chambers are communicated with the cover openings.

More particularly apparatus according to the invention includes a control means for preselecting the number of cycles of the dispenser slide, closure means for selectively closing certain of the slide plate openings to further control the amount of feed dispensed, and water dispensing means for dispensing preselected amounts of water along with the feed with the water dispensing means also being controlled by the control system.

The novel features and the advantages of the invention, as well as additional objects thereof, will be understood more fully from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of apparatus according to the invention, which is broken to minimize length and partially broken away to show interior construction;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 partially in elevation and partially in section;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are fragmentary sectional views taken in a central vertical plane through the dispenser slide assembly and illustrating alternative positions of the dispenser slide;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top view taken in the plane 5-5 of FIG. 2 illustrating the dispenser assembly;

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view of the dispenser portion of the apparatus as viewed in the plane 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a schematic control circuit diagram for the apparatus; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of a water supplier reservoir and controls for dispensing preselected amounts of water.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing are general views of a feed bin 10 which may be constructed to be placed in the open, such as in a pasture, or may be positioned under a protective shed cover if that is desired for some protection against the elements and to keep rain out of the feed troughs. The feed bin may be of any desired length, such as eight feet for example, and is shown in broken and shortened form in FIG. 1.

.The feed bin 10 includes a base portion 11 having suitable framing for supporting parallel feed bunkers or troughs 12 separated by a divider ridge 13. A relatively narrow housing portion is supported centrally above the base portion and may be referred to as the dispenser portion 14 enclosing the dispenser assembly to be described. Supported immediately above the dispenser portion 14 is the laterally enlarged hopper portion 15 defining a storage bin for the feed. The hopper portion 15 is covered by a roof cap 16 which may be removable or which may be defined by hinge portions which are selectively opened for filling the hopper portion at the desired intervals. The hopper portion 15 may be further supported relative to the base portion 11 by means of suitable braces 17. An auxiliary housing 18 attached to one end of the feed bin 10 houses the drive motor and other control components to be described.

The dispenser assembly is particularly illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 6 and includes a dispenser slide plate 21, a dispenser slide 22 supported on the slide plate 21, and cover means for the dispenser slide defined principally by inverted V-shaped baffles or dividers 23.

As best seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the dispenser slide plate 21 has a form of an inverted channel member suitably secured between and attached to the lower edges of the side walls 26 of the dispenser portion 14 of the feed bin. The web portion of the channel member is provided with longitudinally spaced openings 27 which are the discharge openings for the dispenser assembly as will be described. The discharge openings 27 are equally spaced at selected intervals along the length of the slide plate.

The dispenser slide 22 is also an inverted channel member, and includes an extension 22a which extends from the feed bin into the auxiliary housing 18 at one end, and an extension 22b which extends from the feed bin housing at the other end. The web of the dispenser slide channel member is also provided with longitudinally spaced openings which are spaced to correspond with the discharge openings 27. The dispenser slide channel member 22 is further provided with transverse wall members 28 which bridge the channel member at the edges of these openings, so that the openings together with the wall members 28 define chambers or pockets 29 having closed side walls and being open at both the top and bottom. These chambers 29 are selectively communicated with the discharge openings 27.

Cover means for the dispenser slide 22 includes the above mentioned dividers 23 which are supported on angle members 32 suitable secured to the side walls 26 of the feed bin. As best seen in FIGS. and 6, the dividers 23 bridge the space between the walls 26 and define, along with the angle members 32, longitudinally spaced openings 33, with the spacing of these openings corresponding to the spacing of the dispenser slide chamber 29. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the adjacent dividers 23 define chutes 34 for directing the feed from the hopper portion through the dispenser inlet openings 33.

The dispenser slide 22 is supported on the slide plate 21 by means of roller assemblies 36, best seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, which may consist for example of wheels carried on a suitable shaft and supported between the side walls or flanges of the dispenser slide channel member. This roller support facilitates the reciprocation of the dispenser slide.

Another feature of the dispenser assembly is the provision of closure slides 37 supported beneath the web of the slide plate 21 for closing selected ones of the discharge openings 27. As best seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, these closure slides 37 are slidably supported on ribs 38 mounted on the confronting walls of the channel member 21. Movement of these slides is limited by stops 39, and the slides are locked in the desired position by means of locking keys or screws 40.

FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawing illustrate the extreme positions of the reciprocating movement of the dispenser slide. FIG. 3 illustrates the position at the beginning and end of a dispenser slide cycle and is also the position illustrated in FIG. 1. In this position the feed chambers or pockets 29 are positioned over respective discharge openings 27 so that at the end of an operating cycle the pockets 29 will have been emptied into the bunkers 12. As seen in FIG. 3 the feed pockets 29b and 290 will have been emptied since these are overlying respective discharge openings 27 which are not closed by a closure slide 37. The closure slide 37a however as seen in FIG. 3 is positioned beneath its respective discharge opening 27 so that the feed contained in the pocket 29a will remain confined until such time as the closure slide is shifted to the open position.

For each dispenser slide cycle the slide will move from the extreme right hand position, as viewed in FIG. 3, to the extreme left hand position seen in FIG. 4 and back to the extreme right hand position. An operating cycle of the apparatus, as will be described subsequently, may include one or more dispenser slide cycles.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the dispenser slide is shown in the extreme left hand position wherein the feed pockets 29 are positioned beneath respective inlet openings 33, to receive feed from the hopper portion of the feed bin. In this position, the pockets 29 are closed by the slide plate 21 so that the pockets will be filled with a measured amount of feed which will not be discharged until the pockets are again moved to the right hand position over the discharge openings.

It will be seen then that for each dispenser slide cycle, a measured amount of feed is transferred from the feed bin hopper to the feed bin bunkers or troughs 12. The amount of feed will of course depend on the size and number of feed pockets 29 which are effective, and on the number of dispenser slide cycles which make up an operating cycle. Further control is, of course, afforded by the selective closing of the closure slide 37.

The power means for reciprocating the dispenser slide 22 consists of a suitable motor, such as an electric motor 43 driving a drive wheel 44 through a suitable transmission 45. The drive wheel 44 is also a crank wheel which reciprocates the dispenser slide by means of a pitman or connecting rod 46.

To prevent bridging of the feed within the hopper, an antibridging mechanism consists of a cable 50 supported over suitable pulleys on the end walls of the feed pin 10, with one end of the cable being coupled to the dispenser slide 22. The other end ,of the cable is supported by a tension spring 52 for the purpose of maintaining tension on the cable. The cable carries spaced agitator elements 53 which are reciprocated with the cable when the dispenser slide is reciprocated, for the purpose of agitating the feed within the hopper and breaking up any bridging which may occur.

While one feed bin unit 10 is shown in the drawing, it will be appreciated that an additional one or more feed bins 10 may be aligned in tandem with the illustrated feed bin and driven from the same drive mechanism. It is for this purpose that the dispenser slide 22 is provided with the slide extension 22b at the end of the feed bin remote from the drive motor, so that additional units 10 may be coupled in tandem relation.

The feed bin 10 is also provided with means for dispensing water into the bunkers 12; and for this purpose a pair of dispensing pipes 55 are supported along the outer side walls 26 of the feed bin dispenser portion 14 as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 6 by means of suitable brackets. These pipes are provided with suitable spaced apertures for directing water downward into the bunkers 12. As best seen in FIG. 1, the dispensing pipes may have therein longitudinally spaced gate valves 56 for disconnecting selected portions of the pipes from the water supply as will be described.

A water supply system for the dispensing pipes 55 is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 8, and includes a water supply tank 57 supplied from an inlet pipe 58 which includes an inlet valve SVl, preferably a solenoid operated valve. As illustrated, the tank 57 includes four outlet pipes 69a, 69b, 69c, and 69d at selected levels so that the tank may be drained onequarter, one-half, three-quarters or completely as desired. Each of the outlet pipes is provided with a gate valve 60a through 60d respectively. The discharge conduit system consists of a supply conduit 61, which is connected to the two dispensing pipes 55 by suitable means not shown; with the supply conduit 61 having located therein a pump 62, a metering valve 63, and a gate valve SV2 which is preferably a solenoid operated valve. The valve SV2 is normally closed and the valve SVl is normally open. A flexible conduit 64, for example, connects the outlet pipe 59c with the supply conduit 61. The metering valve 63 is provided for adjusting the flow of the desired quantity of water over the length of the operating cycle of the apparatus. A suitable heater and control (not shown) may be provided for maintaining the water in the tank 57 at a preselected temperature.

The operation of the apparatus will now be described in connection with a control system illustrated schematically in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 illustrates the drive or crank wheel 44 and includes a rotary timing cam 66 and associated cam gear 67, with the cam gear 67 being driven by a cam drive gear 68 rotatable with the crank wheel 44. If it is assumed that for an operating cycle, it is desired to reciprocate the dispenser slide 22 three times (three dispenser slide cycles), the ratio of the teeth of the cam gear 67 to the cam drive gear 68 is three to one, so that the cam 66 will be rotated one revolution for each three revolutions of the drive wheel 44. The cam 66 actuates a switch unit 69 once each revolution, with the switch unit providing a control signal to be described.

The overall operation of the apparatus is controlled by a clock timer unit 70 which is preferably an electrically operated unit which may be set to produce operatin g signals for control operations at selected times. In the feeding of cattle for example the timer may be set to initiate the operating cycle twice a day. One device operated by the timer is an audible signaling device such as a horn 71 which is sounded by the clock timer to summon the animals to the feeding station. This horn may be sounded for example fifteen minutes before the commencement of the dispenser operating cycle. A

At the time for commencement of the feed operating cycle, the clock timer unit will produce a control signal to actuate a solenoid motor switch SMS for connecting the motor 43 to a suitable power source. Simultaneously this control signal will actuate the solenoid valves SVl and SV2 to open the valve SV2 and close the valve SVl. Simultaneously a solenoid operated pump switch SP8 is actuated to connect the drive motor for the pump 62 to a suitable power source. This will effect discharge of the water from the tank 57 to level of the outlet pipe 59c. With the metering valve 63 properly adjusted, the length of time for discharge of the three-fourths tank of water will approximate the time for completion of three dispenser slide cycles which make up the operating cycle of the apparatus.

At the end of the operating cycle, the boss of the cam 66 will actuate the switch unit 69 to transmit a second control signal which actuates the motor switch SMS and pump switch SP8 to shut off these units, and which actuates the solenoid valves SV] and SV2 to close the valve SV2 and supply conduit 61, and open the valve SVl and inlet pipe 58. The above described control system, schematically illustrated in FIG. 7, is illustrative of a suitable control system for controlling the automatic operation of the apparatus.

In the above described operation, it is assumed that for the amount of feed dispensed with each dispenser slide cycle, the desired amount of water to be mixed with the feed is one-quarter of the supply tank 57; Accordingly, in the assumed operating cycle consisting of three dispenser cycles, three-quarters of the tank and water will be dispensed through the outlet pipe 59c. While four outlet pipes 59 are shown, it will be appreciated that any desired number can be provided. Additionally, while there is disclosed here an individual flexible conduit 64 connected to the selected outlet pipe, and that the manually operable gate valves 60 are provided to close the outlet pipes not used, it will be appreciated that the outlet pipes may all be connected in parallel to the supply pipe 61, with the gate valves 60 being solenoid operated and selected through a selector switch for example.

For further control of the dispensing of feed, the closure slides 37 have been described for selectively closing selected discharge opening 27. At times it may be desirable to slightly adjust the amount of feed and this can be accomplished by closing selected ones of the closure slides 37.

It may be desirable to have another form of control, namely to eliminate the use of a portion of the length of the troughs 12, for example, where there is a relatively small number of animals to be fed. Assume for example that it is desired to use only one-third of the length of the unit. This can be accomplished by closing the closure slides 37 over two-thirds of the length of the unit at the end remote from the control housing 18; and accordingly the feed will be dispensed only in the near one-third of the trough 12. Similarly, selected control of the water to be mixed with the feed is provided by the gate valves 56 which may be spaced for example to divide the length of the dispensing pipes 55 into thirds. Selected gate valves may be closed then to close off the remote two-thirds of the dispenser pipes and dispense the water only in the near one-third portion of the trough along with the feed. The amount of the water will be controlled by the above mentioned tank outlet pipes 59, and may be further controlled by restricting flow at the metering valve 63 where that is desired.

What has been described is an improved and practical apparatus for the feeding of livestock.

A feature of the apparatus is that it is entirelyautomatic in operation requiring only monitoring to assure that the feed hopper is supplied with feed. Another feature of the operation is that the feed supply to the animals is always fresh, being retained in the feed bin hopper which is protected from the atmosphere until such time as the feed is dispensed into the feed troughs. The apparatus includes a device for automatically summoning the livestock so that the livestock will be at the feeding station when the feed is dispensed.

Another important feature is that the amount of feed dispensed is precisely measured; and if it is desired the apparatus may dispense water mixed with the feed also in precisely measured amounts.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Feed dispensing apparatus comprising an elongated bunker for the feeding of a plurality of animals;

an elongated feed hopper having a storage chamber,

disposed above said bunker and generally coextensive therewith for dispensing feed into said bunker at spaced locations along the length thereof;

a dispenser assembly disposed in the base of said hopper including an elongated reciprocable dispenser slide generally coextensive therewith, a stationary slide plate underlying said dispenser slide, and stationary cover means overlying said dispenser slide and separating said dispenser assembly from the hopper storage chamber;

said dispenser slide having means defining chambers spaced along its length and having open upper and lower faces; said slide plate having longitudinally spaced openings, spaced to correspond with the spacing of said slide chambers; said slide chambers with said slide plate defining longitudinally spaced feed cups selectively movable over said plate openings to discharge the contents thereof;

said dispenser slide cover means defining longitudinally spaced openings spaced to correspond with said dispenser slide chambers, and said cover openings being offset relative to said slide plate openings;

and power means for reciprocating said dispenser slide between a first position wherein said slide chambers are communicated only with said slide plate openings, and a second position wherein said slide chambers are communicated only with said cover openings;

an electric motor for reciprocating said dispenser slide; switch means for energizing and denergizing said motor;

a clock timer device including means for actuating said motor switch means to turn on said motor;

a rotary cam driven by said motor;

cam operated switch means actuated by said rotary cam; and said cam operated switch means including means for actuating said motor switch means to shut off said motor at the end of an operating cycle;

and timing drive means coupling said cam and said motor.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 said switch means comprising solenoid operated switch means for energizing and denergizing said motor;

said clock timer device including means for producing a control signal to energize said solenoid motor switch to turn on said motor;

and said cam operated switch means including means for producing a control signal to energize said solenoid motor switch means to shut off said motor at the end of an operating cycle.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 antibridging apparatus extending through said hopper along the length thereof comprising a cable having agitator devices fixed thereto at longitudinally spaced intervals; said cable being attached at one end to said dispenser slide; and means yieldingly supporting the cable at its other end to maintain tension thereon and to permit reciprocation of said cable by said dispenser slide.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 an elongated tension spring yieldably supporting said cable means at its one end.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 an electrically operated audible signal device connected to said clock timer to be actuated thereby at a preselected time before said clock timer effects operation of said dispenser slide mechanism.

6. Feed dispensing apparatus comprising an elongated bunker for the feeding of a plurality of animals;

an elongated feed hopper having a storage chamber, disposed above said bunker and generally coextensive therewith for dispensing feed into said bunker at spaced locations along the length thereof;

a dispenser assembly disposed in the base of said hopper including an elongated reciprocable dispenser slide generally coextensive therewith, a stationary slide plate underlying said dispenser slide, and stationary cover means overlying said dispenser slide and separating said dispenser assembly from the hopper storage chamber;

said dispenser slide having means defining chambers spaced along its length and having open upper and lower faces; said slide plate having longitudinally spaced openings, spaced to correspond with the spacing of said slide chambers; said slide chambers with said slide plate defining longitudinally spaced feed cups selectively movable over said plate openings to discharge the contents thereof;

said dispenser slide cover means defining longitudinally spaced openings spaced to correspond with said dispenser slide chambers, and said cover openings being offset relative to said slide plate openings;

and power means for reciprocating said dispenser slide between a first position wherein said slide chambers are communicated only with said slide plate openings, and a second position wherein said slide chambers are communicated only with said cover openings;

an elongated water dispensing pipe supported on said hopper for discharging water into said bunker; a supply tank having an inlet pipe for supplying water thereto and a supply conduit for delivering water to said water dispensing pipe;

solenoid operated valve means in said inlet pipe and in said supply conduit;

means responsive to the initiation of a feed dispens' ing cycle for closing said inlet pipe valve and opening said supply conduit pipe valve to effect the discharge of water from said tank into said bunker; and means responsive to the ending of a feed dispensing cycle to close said supply conduit valve and reopen said inlet pipe valve to effect the filling of said supply tank.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 said reservoir having a plurality of outlet pipes at selected levels; each of said outlet pipes having a gate valve therein;

and means connecting said supply conduit to a selected one of said outlet pipes to select the quantity of water discharged to said bunker during an operating cycle of the dispenser apparatus. 

1. Feed dispensing apparatus comprising an elongated bunker for the feeding of a plurality of animals; an elongated feed hopper having a storage chamber, disposed above said bunker and generally coextensive therewith for dispensing feed into said bunker at spaced locations along the length thereof; a dispenser assembly disposed in the base of said hopper including an elongated reciprocable dispenser slide generally coextensive therewith, a stationary slide plate underlying said dispenser slide, and stationary cover means overlying said dispenser slide and separating said dispenser assembly from the hopper storage chamber; said dispenser slide having means defining chambers spaced along its length and having open upper and lower faces; said slide plate having longitudinally spaced openings, spaced to correspond with the spacing of said slide chambers; said slide chambers with said slide plate defining longitudinally spaced feed cups selectively movable over said plate openings to discharge the contents thereof; said dispenser slide cover means defining longitudinally spaced openings spaced to correspond with said dispenser slide chambers, and said cover openings being offset relative to said slide plate openings; and power means for reciprocating said dispenser slide between a first position wherein said slide chambers are communicated only with said slide plate openings, and a second position wherein said slide chambers are communicated only with said cover openings; an electric motor for reciprocating said dispenser slide; switch means for energizing and denergizing said motor; a clock timer device including means for actuating said motor switch means to turn on said motor; a rotary cam driven by said motor; cam operated switch means actuated by said rotary cam; and said cam operated switch means including means for actuating said motor switch means to shut off said motor at the end of an operating cycle; and timing drive means coupling said cam and said motor.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 said switch means comprising solenoid operated switch means for energizing and denergizing said motor; said clock timer device including means for producing a control signal to energize said solenoid motor switch to turn on said motor; and said cam operated switch means including means for producing a control signal to energize said solenoid motor switch means to shut off said motor at the end of an operating cycle.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 antibridging apparatus extending through said hopper along the length thereof comprising a cable having agitator devices fixed thereto at longitudinally spaced intervals; said cable being attached at one end to said dispenser slide; and means yieldingly supporting the cable at its other end to maintain tension thereon and to permit reciprocation of said cable by said dispenser slide.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 an elongated tension spring yieldably supporting said cable means at its one end.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 an electrically operated audible signal device connected to said clock timer to be actuated thereby at a preselected time before said clock timer effects operation of said dispenser slide mechanism.
 6. Feed dispensing apparatus comprising an elongated bunker for the feeding of a plurality of animals; an elongated feed hopper having a storage chamber, disposed above said bunker and generally coextensive therewith for dispensing feed into said bunker at spaced locations along the length thereof; a dispenser assembly disposed in the base of said hopper including an elongated reciprocable dispenser slide generally coextensive therewith, a stationary slide plate underlying said dispenser slide, and stationary cover means overlying said dispenser slide and separating said dispenser assembly from the hopper storage chamber; said dispenser slide having means defining chambers spaced along its length and having open upper and lower faces; said slide plate having longitudinally spaced openings, spaced to correspond with the spacing of said slide chambers; said slide chambers with said slide plate defining longitudinally spaced feed cups selectively movable over said plate openings to discharge the contents thereof; said dispenser slide cover means defining longitudinally spaced openings spaced to correspond with said dispenser slide chambers, and said cover openings being offset relative to said slide plate openings; and power means for reciprocating said dispenser slide between a first position wherein said slide chambers are communicated only with said slide plate openings, and a second position wherein said slide chambers are communicated only with said cover openings; an elongated water dispensing pipe supported on said hopper for discharging water into said bunker; a supply tank having an inlet pipe for supplying water thereto and a supply conduit for delivering water to said water dispensing pipe; solenoid operated valve means in said inlet pipe and in said supply conduit; means responsive to the initiation of a feed dispensing cycle for closing said inlet pipe valve and opening said supply conduit pipe valve to effect the discharge of water from said tank into said bunker; and means responsive to the ending of a feed dispensing cycle to close said supply conduit valve and reopen said inlet pipe valve to effect the filling of said supply tank.
 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 said reservoir having a plurality of outlet pipes at selected levels; each of said outlet pipes having a gate valve therein; and means connecting said supply conduit to a selected one of said outlet pipes to select the quantity of water discharged to said bunker during an operating cycle of the dispenser apparatus. 